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I'll be taking a job out of State soon. So I will no longer be the Connecticut Explorer. This cuts short many of my big plans for this site, and my attempt to walk every mile of Blue Blazed Trail. Maybe someday I'll be back.

I'm starting up a new weblog about Art. Starting April 1st. Composition-X will deliver a fresh article about art and design to your Facebook Feed, Feedburner, Email, or Google Plus Feed. One short article a day - and in less than a year you will be an art expert. So, come on over and follow me at Composition-Xhttp://composition-x.blogspot.com/

In 2013 a new trail was commissioned by CFPA - The Scoville Loop. It is near to the trailhead for the Mattabesett Trail and may one day officially connect. It is about 2.3 miles and is comprised of two loops - so you can hike a figure 8 if you like. Part of the trail travels along the banks of The Connecticut River - so fishing and paddling are an option.

The Gay City State Park and trail system inhabit the land which formerly hosted a town know as Factory Hollow. The current name is attributed to the first village president John Gay. The trails system is mainly a network of short multi-colored trails, while the longer more regional Shenipsit traverses through the park. There is a holiday and weekend fee throughout the summer to enter the parking lot at the pond and beach area.

The Nature Conservancy protects 1900 acres of lakeside land in Bridgewater. Here, you will find a few good trails for hiking. If you park at Bridgewater Town Park you can follow the 4.5 mile blue blazed trail to its terminus at Pruchnik Lane. And, you can use various other trails to loop back. From strolls through meadows and farms to rocky climbs and scrambles these trails offer diverse and relatively easy hiking.

It's hard to miss West Rock State Park in New Haven. You drive under it on Route 15. Above the tunnel is a monumental traprock ridge. Starting there, at the Judge's Cave, is the Regicides Trail. It travels along the ridge till it meets with the third section of the Quinnipiac Trail. Along the way you are treated to panoramic views of Long Island Sound and the forested landscape of coastal Connecticut. The Sanford Feeder Trail leads from a good parking spot along an abandoned road and meets with the Regicides shortly before its termination at the Quinnipiac. A number of other blazed trails cross the Regicides in West Rock State Park. There is a gate and a fee for parking at West Rock Park in season.

Beginning at the Comstock Bridge - a preserved wooden covered bridge - the Salmon river Trail makes a 6.9 mile loop in the Salmon River State Forest. There is a gentle 200ft climb to an area overlooking the Salmon river Valley. There is a small beach at Day Pond State Park which you will reach about half way through your hike. Perhaps, an opportunity for a trail breakfast/lunch.

The Whitestone Cliffs Trail is a short loop and part of the Waterbury Area Trails. It is connected to the Jerricho Trail by a yellow blazed trail. This area is said to be geologically active with a few ground faults about 100 feet long. You might feel a rumble and notice some rather large boulders sliding. Despite its short distance this trail is vertical and can be considered difficult.

The Pequot Trail is a trail in flux. It seems to loose and gain miles depending on the year, so it is best to check with CFPA to determine the most current path. The most reliable and least intrusive parking can be had at Milton Green Memorial Ball Field in Poquetanuck. From there you can head in either direction on the trail route. It is a wet and low trail and you should be prepared for a muddy walk. Perhaps in time this trail will be improved.

The Pachaug State Forest hosts the Nehantic Trail. There are several camping areas along this trail. Mt Misery and Hell Hollow may be misnomers as far as hikers are concerned; these trails are in good order and relatively easy to hike. The Nehantic crosses paths with the Pachaug Trail. Another diversion trail leads to the rhododendron sanctuary.

The Nehantic Forest hosts this 4 mile loop trail. It is in the East Lyme Block division. The trail volunteers here maintain an excellent trail. There is a trail connection to Uncas Pond as well - which is not shown on this map. This trail is relatively easy and passes through several stages of forest habitat.

From alongside a busy highway - The Naugatuck emerges and then ascends into the rocky and forested hills that make this section of Route 8 amazing to drive along. Egypt Brook provides some scenic relief along the trail. There are a couple side trails and a possible loop trail at one point. But, the trail is not too long and can be an easy out-n-back.

The Torrington area Trails include the Wolcott Trail, Muir Trail, and Alain and May White Nature Trails. The Wolcott trail circles Burr Pond at Burr Pond State Park. The Alain and May White Trails loop around in Sunny Brook State Park with the Testone Rock Trail making the main blue blazed loop. And, The John Muir Trail connects the two via the Paugut State Forest. These trails are relatively wide and easy. There are plenty of parking spots as well. There is a fee for parking on weekends and holidays in the summer at Burr Pond State Park.

St. Patrick's Day is coming up next month on March 17th. The Mayor is skipping the big parade in NYC this year, but that doesn't mean you have to. For 253 years everyone in New York has been Irish for a day. It's the oldest St. Pat's parade in the country. And, It has always made its course up 5th Avenue, marching bagpipers past St. Patrick's Cathedral and ending at Central Park. If you like to drink good strong beer, be merry, and can't get enough of the spiritual drone of the bagpipes then this is a day you won't want to miss. So, take off and head into the city. St. Pat's is on a Monday this year and starts at 11am. If you don't plan to attend - you may want to make alternative commuting plans, because Metro North is going to be stocked with revelers throughout the morning peak hour rush.

The Mclean Game Refuge is a preserve donated to the public by the former US Senator George Mclean. It's 3200 acres offers opportunities for picnicking, walking, hiking, and general refuge from the hustle and bustle of urban life in Hartford County. It is open from 8am to 8pm. There are numerous waterfalls and a welcome center as well. The most popular hikes are near the trout pond, But, not be overlooked is Eddy Loop leading to Weed Hill.

The Upper Paugussett State Forest hosts The Lillinonoah Trail. There are impressive views of Lake Lillinonah from perches along the trail. Located in Newtown, it is across the water from Kettletown State Park and nearby The Zoar Trail in the Lower Paugussett State Forest.

The Jerricho Trail travels through The Mattatuck State Forest and along a ridgeline overlooking The Naugatuck River. It is one of the Waterbury Area Trails and connects the more regional Mattatuck Blue Blazed Trail with The Whitestone Cliffs Trail. Near the junction with The Mattatuck Trail is one of the famed Leatherman caves. Undoubtedly the Leatherman walked a similar route as the Jerricho now follows. Jerricho is a short 3.4 miles but there are a couple of loops that can be made on either of its ends to lengthen your hike.

Theatre For a New Audience (TFANA) - Brooklyn

The Facade - Polonsky Shakespeare Center

The Theatre for a New Audience is a New York theatre company devoted to Shakespeare and classical drama. Noted for the quality of their productions, they have been staging dramatic performances since their founding in 1979. At the close of 2013 they inhabited their own space at The Polonsky Shakespeare Center - a stand alone courtyard theatre in the heart of the BAM district in Brooklyn. To kick-off their first season in their permanent home they pulled out the stops with a haltingly beautiful production of A Midsummer Night's Dream - directed by Tony award winner Julie Taymor. I had the priveledge to be in attendance for this performance - and also to explore inside the Polonsky before it opened. I have been to many performance venues, and everyone will have their own personal preference; but to me, The Polonsky is as close to a perfect venue as I have encountered. In this article I'll explain why.

The Cockaponsett State forest has the distinction of being the 2nd largest state forest in CT. Only second, even though it has several separate sections that are not really that close together. You can hike through the one section in Guilford on The Menukatuck Trail. But, for the title track, you will have to go to Haddam. There is a very nice Parking Lot which is unfortunately central to the trail. By taking the red blazed trails you can make a couple loops on each side of the parking lot located off Cedar Lake Road.

Deep in the vast and mysterious Tunxis State Forest is a little tiny Blue Blazed Trail. It exists to allow access to some sparkling water falls and the cascade of Falls Brook. A complicated "white trail" leads down the rocks to the best place to photograph the falls. This trail is in massive need of a real parking lot as waterfall hunters in New England are plentiful and they won't want to miss this one.